The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

17th March 2026

17 March 2026

Scotland Rejects Assisted Dying and Affirms Human Dignity

MSPs can be confident that they have taken the correct and responsible course of action. Their vote serves to protect some of Scotland’s most vulnerable individuals from the risk of being pressured into a premature death.

Every human life possesses inherent value. Genuine compassion is not expressed through ending a life, but through accompanying those who suffer and ensuring they receive the medical, emotional, and spiritual support that recognises their dignity. No life is without worth.

As a society, our responsibility is not to address suffering by eliminating the sufferer, but to surround each person with care, respect, and dignity until their natural end. Today’s decision moves Scotland further in that direction, and MSPs should be commended for this.

However, we must continue to make progress. Our next priority must be to strengthen palliative care by ensuring that it is properly funded and accessible to all who require it.

I would like to express my gratitude to all MSPs for their serious engagement with this issue and for the thoughtful and considered attention they have given to the bill. I am especially grateful to those who upheld the principle of human dignity and advocated on behalf of the vulnerable. Your principled commitment has not gone unnoticed.

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

The Roman Catholic Bishops in Scotland work together to undertake nationwide initiatives through their Commissions and Agencies.

The members of the Bishops' Conference are the Bishops of the eight Scottish Dioceses. Where appropriate the Bishops Emeriti (retired) provide a much welcomed contribution to the work of the conference. The Bishops' Conference of Scotland is a permanently constituted assembly which meets regularly throughout the year to address relevant business matters.

Members of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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March 2025

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https://news.stv.tv/politics/assisted-dying-laws-could-be-lethal-weapon-for-domestic-abusers-msps-warned

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14 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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Pope Francis celebrated the 12th anniversary of his pontificate with the medical staff of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, who brought a...

14 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Francis celebrated the 12th anniversary of his pontificate with the medical staff of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, who brought a cake with candles to his room.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope also followed the Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia via video link with the Paul VI Hall, and resumed respiratory therapy.

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13Mar

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13 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2025/03/11/4-popular-devotions-to-jesus-crucified-for-lent

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Pope has a restful night at Rome's Gemelli Hospital - Vatican News

13 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-03/pope-has-a-restful-night-at-rome-s-gemelli-hospital.html

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📢 We have a new group ticket offer!

13 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

📢 We have a new group ticket offer! Bring your friends, family, and parishioners to the Scottish Catholic Conference on 29 March.

Get 5 tickets for £112, which includes a conference pack, access to exhibitors, speakers, and trading stalls, and a light lunch and tea/coffee on arrival. You won't want to miss this groundbreaking event!

🎟️ Head to https://bit.ly/3R6zh4E to book your tickets now!

#ScottishCatholicConference #CouragetobeCatholic

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On the twelfth anniversary of his election to the papacy, Pope Francis continues to recover in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

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12 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-03/pope-stable-condition-x-ray-confirms-improvements-recent-days.html

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12 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51900

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